Boat trip in the Cousteau reserve
Take part in an unforgettable glass-bottom boat trip in Guadeloupe, sailing through the turquoise waters of Réserve Cousteau, a paradise for lovers of marine life young and old. This adventure lets you discover the breathtaking beauty of coral reefs and the diversity of aquatic life with family and friends, while enjoying the spectacular scenery of Guadeloupe.
Boarding at Malendure
Nautilus boats are accessed from the end of the pontoon located on Malendure beach in Bouillante, near the diving clubs and Les Nautilus agency.
On arrival, you’ll receive a warm welcome from the crew; simply present your ticket to board. Once inside the Nautilus, you’ll be impressed by its vast space, specially designed to ensure your comfort and well-being during your trip to Îlets Pigeon.
The two boats, the New Nautilus and the Ti Nautilus, are arranged on three separate levels:
- the main deck with its bar and cockpit
- the upper deck with slide and solarium
- the glass lower deck submerged under 1.5m of water for a 360° view of the seabed
Departure for the Cousteau reserve
All passengers are on board and it’s time to cast off for a 1h15 excursion. Thanks to its bow thrusters, the Nautilus pulls away from the pontoon with the same ease as a car leaving its parking space. And so the boat trip begins. In just five minutes, the Nautilus will reach the famous Pigeon Islets of the Cousteau Reserve.
Along the way, you’ll have the chance to admire Guadeloupe’s leeward coastline and observe the magnificent variations in color as you move further out. It’s also on this crossing that you might be lucky enough to spot turtles surfacing and, with a bit of luck, dolphins.
A visit to the seabed in the Cousteau reserve
It’s time to get down to business. The crew invites passengers to go to the lower deck. Comfortably seated in front of the large windows, 1.5 meters underwater, the tour of the seabed can begin. You don’t have to be a scientist or biologist to marvel at the splendor of the seabed at Guadeloupe’s îlets Pigeon, a treasure trove comparable to the world’s most beautiful destinations.
You’ll discover a varied fauna: Colas fish, Parrotfish, Surgeonfish, Sergeants Major, Maniocs, Demoiselles, Angels, Platax, Barracudas, Grouperfish, Thazards, Bourses, and many others, not forgetting the fixed fauna such as corals and sponges that adorn these depths. All this, together with detailed commentary from the expert crew, will make your underwater visit to Guadeloupe’s Cousteau Reserve even more fascinating.
Relaxation and swimming at Îlets Pigeon
After exploring the seabed of the îlets Pigeon in the Cousteau Reserve, the Nautilus drops anchor near the Aquarium for a 30-minute break. It’s the perfect opportunity to cool off in the crystal-clear, warm waters. Put on your mask and dive among the multicolored fish, so close you can almost touch them.
You’ll also have the chance to play on the slide, sliding directly into the water from the upper deck, or relax in the almost constant sunshine from the solarium, also located on the upper deck. And since all this makes you thirsty, the crew will offer you a planteur, with or without alcohol.
The return to Malendure
The return journey is identical to the outward journey, with a five-minute sail back to the Malendurel pontoon. Stay alert and keep your eyes open, because the adventure may not be quite over yet.
As on the outward journey, you may be lucky enough to spot turtles and, with a little luck, dolphins. All accompanied by beautiful music that we’re sure will inspire you to sing along and maybe even dance just before you disembark.
Landing at Malendure
Once the boat had arrived at the pontoon, it was time to disembark and head for Malendure beach.
